Fresh Water Pump

[thaeni]

I have a Jabsco fresh water pump that just started "re-pressurizing"
itself every 6 or 7 minutes. It only stays on for a second or so. I checked all the fittings and faucets and
found no leaks. The water goes directly to the pump. I don't have an accumulator but there is a 6 gallon hot water heater. I also inspected
the pump for dirt particles and found none. Any ideas why this is happening.
It drives me nuts!.
Thanks

 

[JoeWhite]

There may be air trapped in the pipes and/or there is not enough water in your water tanks. Also check if the pressure detector has loos wires or is defective.

 

[J Hunter]

If the time required to for it to turn back on is pretty constant, it's probably not the pressure switch. To test this set up a small drip at one of the faucets and see if it shortens the time between "re pressurizations" if it does, the pressure switch is probably OK. That leaves a small leak or a bad check valve at the pump discharge. I say check valve, but often with certain types of pumps the mechanicals of the pump mechanism itself are what act as the "check valve", preventing water from sneaking back into the suction of the pump, lowering the static discharge pressure and making the pressure switch. To test whether you are getting this leak back or if it's just a plain vanilla leak in your pressure plumbing, you could disconnect the discharge hose and plug it or cap it with just a short piece and run the pump. If it stays off for good after making pressure, you've probably got a plumbing leak that you'll need to find and repair, if it continues to cycle then you've got a small backflow and need to repair or replace the pump or replace the check valve if it has a serviceable one.

 

[Alan]

It's real simple, you've got a leak. The project now is to find it. Start by plugging the hot water heater supply hose. If the pump still cycles the problem is in the cold water side. Start at the shower head on the swim platform, a common leak point.
Good luck finding it and don't forget to report back.

 

[Sailgunner]

I had a similar problem years ago and just had to replace the pump. I tried replacing the pressure switch but could never get it to work right. If you don't find a leak, just bite the bullet and replace the pump.

As someone mentioned in a previous post, if you have an outside shower, check it. My pump was coming on once in a while and I found that although the outside shower appeared to be off, a hard twist on the handle and the pump stopped coming on.